Places to fish 

Tip Head - Youghal 

(Courtesy of Billy the Bass)

Youghal is a coastal town long associated with sea angling, but I won’t give you any of that old guff. What I am interested in is the first of my fishing locations. And what better place to start than the town dump.  

Location.                                                                  

Tip Head is located on the Cork/Waterford road. Pass through the main town heading toward the bridge. Pass the garage on the right, and keep an eye out on the right for the small sign that denotes the dump. Turn right and carry on until you reach the gates of the tip. Park well to one side if the dump is open, and then walk the rest of the way to the end of the old bridge to fish.            

Why the hell am I here?                             

Well, flounder is the answer, and codling and coalfish in the autumn and winter months. With Pollack, mackerel, flounder and flounder /plaice hybrids in the summer.                                                                                

This mark is one of the most consistent that I fish, and the rush to get a spot in this restricted area on a match day is frantic. The flounder are all pretty much to size with plenty of fish to two pounds and over. The plaice hybrids can go larger still. I have only caught codling at this mark, but many pals and acquaintances have caught fish to double figures, which rankles. The coalies and Pollack rarely reach a pound and a half. Here, as well as most marks in the Youghal area, there is a realistic chance of bass.

Nearby marks?  

Too many to mention

Bait and method.        

Yes you certainly need bait and a method. Fortunately only one bait is required. Peeler crab is the number one here and with the exception of the mackerel will catch all the species mentioned. A three-hook flapper armed with 1/0 wide mouth crab hooks will catch as many flatties as you want on a good day. Or going up to a 4/0 pennel flapper or pulley will account for any cod that may be passing. I advise using flapper rigs because only a lob is required to get into the fish and a big cast in such a narrow area and into snaggy ground is a recipe for disaster.

Where to fish.                                                                       

Well the most obvious answer is in the water, and I include that for Stan Murphy (he will know why). This mark is the remaining end of an old bridge that used to span the river many years ago, and is only suitable for four or five anglers to fish in comfort. Though I have seen it twice as full, I wouldn’t fish there myself in those conditions, too much agro. 

I prefer the right hand or seaward side, though both catch well at different times of the tide. Straight out are the rocky remains of the old bridge and can be snaggy.        

Time and tide.                      

Wait for no man, yes I couldn’t help myself there, no doubt you will get used to it if you persevere with my articles on this web site. Two hours before and after high water are best, on a series of neaps if possible. Though as I have said, this mark is very consistent and I have caught well at all stages.

Tips.                                                               

Try not to fall in and drown yourself, on the slippery pebbles at low tide. (It upsets other anglers who will have to reel in quickly to avoid you as you float by). Visitors to Cork may have difficulty in obtaining bait, but there are two lads in Youghal who collect and sell peelers. If you want more information e-mail me.